Buying a used car from dealership

JustJane101

Hello all.

I have been needing a new car for a wee while now, however haven't yet taken the plunge. Over the last few weeks, I have done some research on which car I would like. I have narrowed it down to a car (Mazda CX-3). I have my finance approved and booked in with a dealer at the weekend. 

This will be the first time i've purchased from a dealership and on finance, so I have a few questions:

1) I know PX my current car ( Mazda 2, way over 100k miles) won't give me the best deal, but my current car only has few weeks MOT left, and I know it needs a bit of work. It's over 10 years old and the dealership is a very long drive from my house. Am I stupid to want to PX for simplicty?

2) Has anyone been successful getting a discount from a dealership? The car is 3 years old.

3) IF I go ahead with the purchase, can I just ring my insurance for a temp insurance until I find the best deal?

4) What sort of questions do I need to ask about the car?

5) Will I get given a choice between PCP and HP, and in your opinion, which is better?

6) The car is probably close to needing it's first MOT. What happens if it needs a LOT of work a for this a few months after buying? Granted it shouldn't!

Sorry - Completely new to this, my last car was 7 years old when I purchased and was my first car.

fb1969

1 - px won't necessarily give you the best value, but it is the easiest way to do things. I'm on my 11th car and have always px'd.

2 - depends on the deal offered, always worth asking for a discount but be realistic.

3 - unless the new car is massively expensive to insure it's best to change the car on your current policy and see out your current insurance year, assuming you are building up No Claims.  Most companies cover you on both cars on the day you get it.

6 - are you getting the car from a main dealer for the car you are looking at?  If so it will probably have a warranty and the MoT shouldn't be a problem, and depending on when it is they may get it done before you buy it.

bigadaj

Finance on used cars is often very expensive, it's worth doing a comparison against a bank loan for example as the latter may work out a lot cheaper.

bazzyb

JustJane101 said:

5) Will I get given a choice between PCP and HP, and in your opinion, which is better?

Potentially yes - it depends on your circumstances, the vehicle you are looking to purchase, and what products the finance company offers. 

On a car that’s already 3 years old, PCP is unlikely to be a good option but there’s no harm in comparing to see what you think. 

However, the thing that is concerning is that you started your post by saying your finance is already approved, so surely you know what you have applied for and what has been approved?

Grumpy_chap

Based on the description of the current car as a "scrapper", this may be such that it will cost the garage to process the receipt and disposal and anything they offer you is a token only.  Whatever that token sum is will be directly deducted from any deal / discount off the window price of the car you are buying.

The most important thing to know is what the price of the car you are buying should be and aim to pay that.

Also, dealers will try to offer a number of "extra" products which may or may not be beneficial to you.  Beware to add up what they try to add on though as, if you are not careful, it will take the price of the car up by another half from whatever the price for the car was agreed at.  Any "deal" or "discount" could be more than wiped out.

macman

Insist on a new MOT on the CX-3.  It'll be out of warranty at 3 years, and a 3 year old dealer car should come with some level of extended warranty included. Of course discounts are available, never pay the ticket price. Just do your research beforehand and go in with a maximum price to change. That's the figure that matters, not the PX value.

photome

what finance do you have approved?  PCP prob not the best way to go on a 3 year old car. look at the total cost to change.
I would expect a 3 year old car from a dealer to have a new MOT before purchase, if they wont MOT it I would walk away

DoaM

4) Take someone with you who is knowledgeable about cars.
5) As said above, personal finance (bank loan) is probably far more cost-effective.

Goudy

DoaM said:

4) Take someone with you who is knowledgeable about cars.

It's probably just as relevent these days to suggest to take someone with you who is knowledgeable about car finance.

If you're worried about it, you can always post up on here the "deal" quote after you've visited the dealers and I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice.

AdrianC

Goudy said:

DoaM said:

4) Take someone with you who is knowledgeable about cars.

It's probably just as relevent these days to suggest to take someone with you who is knowledgeable about car finance.

No point in getting cheap finance on a shed.

onlyfoolsandparking

AdrianC said:

Goudy said:

DoaM said:

4) Take someone with you who is knowledgeable about cars.

It's probably just as relevent these days to suggest to take someone with you who is knowledgeable about car finance.

No point in getting cheap finance on a shed.

Should they get expensive finance instead then? 

How is a 3 year old car a shed?